Editorial | A victory for Malaysia’s judicial independence
- Whatever the political fallout from the conviction and jailing of former prime minister Najib Razak, the country’s courts deserve a pat on the back
Former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak remains a free man pending his appeal against conviction and sentence of 12 years’ jail on charges arising from the multibillion-dollar 1MDB corruption scandal.
Meanwhile, the winners from his trial were his country’s rule of law and the judiciary, which has been praised for acting without fear or favour.
Given Najib’s new-found popularity among Malays in the United Malay National Organisation and influence with so many people in the system, many had expected a different outcome. His conviction shows leaders who do wrong can he held accountable.
What matters is the impact of the verdict on Malaysia’s political future. For now, Najib has to sit out an election if one is called. More horse-trading, the norm in Malaysian politics, is to be expected.
01:43
Malaysia’s former PM sentenced to 12 years in jail and fined US$49 million
Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has to accommodate different Malay interests, between Najib’s Umno and Pas, the Islamic party, and those in the eastern parts of Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak, as well as Malays aligned to former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim and former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad, and those in his own small party.